Mark E. Smith’s Cause of Death Revealed

Nearly three weeks after his death, we learn that Mark E. Smith, the leader of the Fall, died of lung and kidney cancer. His three sisters, Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline, shared the news with an official statement.

"We would like to thank family, friends and fans for all their kind words, condolences and memories about our brother Mark," they wrote on the Fall's website. "Also, the N.H.S. and staff who treated Mark throughout and Mark’s partner Pam who loved, cared and cherished our brother."

"Mark fought a long and hard battle after his diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer," they continued. "He took every treatment going, which could be brutal at times and left Mark with some horrible side effects. Mark was such a strong man and hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice."

Smith died on Jan. 24 at the age of 60, giving an early end to a fascinating career that began in Manchester, England in the late '70s, part of the same scene that produced Joy Division and the Smiths. For the next 40 years, Smith remained prolific, putting out an an album nearly ever year even as the band's lineup continually changed. While he never achieved the global fame of those other acts, he was admired throughout the industry for staying true to his vision, which was noted by his sisters.

"Mark had a great life and loved and lived it to the full and always by his own rules and we, as his sisters were privileged to be part of it too," the women wrote. "Mark is at peace now and pain free, but we, his three sisters have been left heartbroken and will miss our big brother very much."